Babylonian forces invade Jerusalem and carry away many of the city's finest young people, including Daniel and his three young friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In captivity, the youths are in the kings service and outperform all their rivals-pleasing the king and frustrating their enemies. When Darius, the new king, makes Daniel his first president, Daniel's enemies plan a trap to have him killed. When Daniel survives being thrown into the lion's den, he proves that God still rules over the affairs of men.